Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1887-05-26
Ten Million Acres More.
North Dakota Farmer.


There are, over 10000, 600 Of acres Of the
finest grazing and farming lands In Dakota
lying west and north of Devils Lake. which
have been withheld from the operations ofthe
homestead and presumption laws because OF
the questionable claim of small band of
Turtle Mountain Chippewas to the land.
IN january, 1856, Surveyor General TAYLOR
OF Dakota, contracted for the surveys OF /, 300.
OOO OF these lands In compliance with existing
regulations, but in less than u month with
Characteristic ignorance and perversity, Com.
missioner Sparks issued an order indefinitely
postponing the surveys, and even went 80 faf
as to decline to place on file pats of several
townships surveyed under contracts approved
prior to the action suspendng SURVEYS, after
their examination in tile field, and their cor.
rectness was affirmed. Mr.. II. G. Green, as
contractor for these surveys appealed to the
secretary of the interior, who has recently
oyerruled the land commissioners action and
ordered that the suspended contracts be an.
proved, and plats of surveys already made be
hled In the proper local land offices for dispo-
sal under the land laws. The surveyor gen
eral has instructed the contractors to pro-
coed with the surveys as rapidly as possible
Ihls action causes great rejoicing among
the settlers in the DEVILS Lake land district,
hundreds OF whom settled upon unsurveyed
lands after the reversal, in 1882, by Secretary
Teller of the order of Secretary Schurz made
Two years previous, Withholding the lands
from occupancy. Secretary Teller, in his
opinion now affirmed by Secretary Lamar,
says:
II am of the opinion that the claim is not
well founded, yet If IL should appear on
careful examination of the facts that such
claim does exist it will be the duty of the
government to make proper compensation TO
the Indians. lido not think nearly 10 zoo, 600
acres OF valuable lands, on which great
number of settlers are now located, should
~ wi bhAlI from, tl..xD a,
stead and the pre-emption laws because
question has been raised whether the small
band OF Indians, not exceeding three hun.
dred, have claim on this land or not. 1t is
not commended by any one that the govern
ment has recognized this claim OF the Indians
by treaty with them, and the Indians make no
use OF the land except to roam over 1t, not
cultiyating, think, any of it."
The vast tract of land now open to SETTLE
ment possesses natural advantages unsur-
passed by any other part of Dakota Its lands
are exceedingly fertile, affording the choicest
pasturage and producing wheat of the finest
quality, and rivaling that of the famous Sas-
katchewan country. There is an abundance
OF wood along the streams, providing cheap
lumber as well as fuel for the early settlers.
The extensive coal deposits of the Turtle
mountains and In the Mouse river valley in
sure cheap fuel for the future, and invite man.
industries
The removal of all barriers to the settle
ment and development ofthe country will has
ten the completion and extension of the Can
do, Botti eau. and other projected branches OF
the Manitoba Railroad Company. With it's free
lands wealth and diversity of natural re-
sources, and present and prospective facili-
tiles for reaching the primary markets, we
know of no region offering SO many induce
ments to intending emigrants
During the next two or three years we |
shall witness tide of immigration into the |